UPDATED 10.30am

Essex Police have arrested a 43-year-old man from Colchester on suspicion of robbery.

He is currently under arrest at hospital.

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A SHOP manager was threatened by a knife-wielding robber who made off with thousands of pounds in cash.

The robber entered Martin McColl’s newsagent, in Hunwicke Road, Greenstead, at 7am yesterday and brandished the knife and threatened the cashier.

The terrified boss, who was not hurt, handed thousands of pounds over to the man, who made off towards Hawthorn Avenue.

Essex Police have launched a man hunt for the suspect.

Regulars have spoken of their shock over the robbery.

Reg Christie, 67, said: “It feels like nowhere is safe now.

“I can’t imagine what it would be like for the staff member. They’ve just gone in to do a day’s work.

“It makes me so angry when I hear of these utterly senseless things.

“I think I speak for everyone round here when I say I hope he’s found and locked up.”

Mum Debbie Mason, 25, added: “It’s these sorts of things that give Greenstead a bad name.

“I’ve lived her all my life and I’m bringing up my daughter here and I’ve never seen anyone do anything like that.

“Now when people hear this, they’ll probably just say: ‘Well, that’s Greenstead.’ “But it’s not at all.”

Another mum, who would not be named, added: “The people who do this are scum.

“They are not welcome here at all.

“People work hard on changing Greenstead’s name and then someone goes and does this.

“The honest truth is it’s probably someone who uses drugs or has a drug debt.

“That’s their problem. They shouldn’t be bring that issue into the lives of good people.”

A McColl’s spokesman said: “The health, safety and wellbeing of our employees is of utmost importance.

“We are working closely with the relevant authorities in response to this incident.”

Greenstead councillor Tina Boune (Lab) said: “I would urge anyone who may have seen anything to just get in touch with the police.

“At that time of the morning, the people who are about will be people who are out at that time every morning: dog-walkers, commuters, shift workers.

“I would say: ‘Have a think, was everything as it usually is?

“It might be something small, but if you think of something, tell the police.”

The robber is described as white, aged in his 40s and with greying hair.

He wore a grey hooded jumper.

An Essex Police spokeswoman confirmed enquiries are ongoing.

Anyone with information on the robbery should contact Essex Police on 101